---
id: "CVE-2021-25489"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2021-25489"]
title: "samsung android: Assuming radio permission is gained, missing input validation in modem interface driver prior to SMR Oct-2021\u2026"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 5.5
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Samsung Mobile Devices", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "samsung android", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 8.1", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "samsung android", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 9.0", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "samsung android", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 10.0", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "samsung android", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 11.0", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["android", "exploited", "infrastructure", "mobile-devices", "samsung"]
not_affected_if: ["unknown"]
published_at: "2021-10-06T18:15:09+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2021-25489", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-25489", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00"}]
---

# samsung android: Assuming radio permission is gained, missing input validation in modem interface driver prior to SMR Oct-2021…

Samsung mobile devices have an improper input validation flaw in the modem interface driver that leads to a format string bug. The sources say it causes a kernel panic, and CISA lists it as known to be exploited in the wild.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Samsung Mobile Devices affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:samsung android affected = 8.1 fixed ?
- vendor:samsung android affected = 9.0 fixed ?
- vendor:samsung android affected = 10.0 fixed ?
- vendor:samsung android affected = 11.0 fixed ?

## How to check

Check the device's security patch level under Settings > About phone > Software information. unknown for the exact affected builds.

## Fix

Apply the latest Samsung security update for the device, per vendor instructions. If no update is available, stop using the affected device.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2021-25489
- 2026-10-23T22:29:04+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-25489

## From the sources

Samsung mobile devices contain an improper input validation vulnerability within the modem interface driver that results in a format string bug leading to kernel panic.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_